World Mental Health Day

Today, 10 October, we mark the 34th World Mental Health Day. This day was first established in 1992 on the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global organisation with members and partners in over 150 countries.

For Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH), this occasion serves as a reminder of the dramatic global situation surrounding mental health, giving us an opportunity to highlight our commitment in this crucial field. It is reasonable to assume that the mental well-being of mankind has not improved over the past few years, or has even worsened. There are many reasons. A painful reality is that young people in particular are especially affected by mental health issues. According to UNICEF, the impact of war and violence on children has reached unprecedented levels worldwide.

In less affluent countries and regions—where organisations such as GCCH are active—millions of people in urgent need of psychological support still wait in vain for help. One of the main drivers of mental distress is the sheer number of man-made disasters: current events such as the war in Ukraine, as well as those from the past such as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (1986) and the Vietnam War (1955–75). Tragically, even these past events continue to have severe and highly relevant consequences decades later. GCCH contributes as much as possible to addressing these long-term effects.

Our psychological support programme in Ukraine was launched at the beginning of 2024. It is designed to operate over the long term and is continuing to expand. As of October 2025, more than 1,000 people are receiving care at four different locations. The majority are children and adolescents—reflecting the fact that these victims are particularly vulnerable to the psychological strain and trauma caused by the horrors of war.

To illustrate how urgently this support is needed and the impact it can have, here are a few examples:

Kherson: An eight-year-old boy receiving psychological support often burst into tears for no apparent reason—while playing or during therapy. When asked, “What’s wrong?”, he answered, “We’re all going to die—they’re going to kill us.” In a safe, supportive setting, he worked individually with a therapist to confront his fears. Gradually, his anxiety subsided. He began to smile again and now reacts more calmly to loud noises.
Novhorod-Siverskyi: Tatiana, 62, sought help from our psychologist. Six months earlier, her son-in-law had died in the war, and she didn’t know how to support her daughter and five-year-old grandson in coping with their grief. Through psychological counselling, Tatiana learned to give space to her daughter’s and grandson’s mourning, to talk about the man they had lost without fear, and to create small remembrance rituals. Her daughter was also supported by the psychologist. Step by step, the family learned to process their loss and to remember their loved one with affection rather than pain.
Chernihiv: A five-year-old girl had to flee her home with her brother and mother. In her new kindergarten, she refused to speak, play, or eat. She deeply missed her father, who had stayed behind. Slowly, with the support of caring adults, a psychologist, and new friends, she began to laugh again and rediscovered the joy of life. Today, she eagerly takes part in group sessions, is more communicative, and learns through creative activities how she can deal with her emotions.

Further information about the psychological support programme in Ukraine is available here.

In the Vietnamese province of Quang Tri, we support people with disabilities—often referred to as PWDs. Their disabilities are largely due to exposure to Agent Orange and other long-term consequences of the Vietnam War, such as unexploded bombs and landmines. These consequences remain particularly pronounced in Quang Tri.

Because of physical, psychological, and social factors, people with disabilities are at higher risk of mental distress—whilst at the same time facing greater barriers to psychological support.

All these factors combine to affect the mental well-being of PWDs, many of whom suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, and persistent sadness.

Just as in Ukraine, it is crucial to identify the risk factors for mental disorders early and implement appropriate measures. This can improve overall health, prevent long-term damage, and reduce pressure on public health systems.

Many affected individuals struggle with fear, social isolation, and low self-esteem and confidence. In addition, widespread misunderstandings and prejudices about disability and mental health persist in society. For example, people with intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses are often wrongly labelled as “crazy,” leading many to withdraw in order to avoid being stigmatised.

Financial strain poses another major challenge: treatment, medication, rehabilitation, transportation, and living expenses are costly. Moreover, the necessary knowledge and skills for effective care are often lacking.

To provide urgently needed relief, since the end of 2024 GCCH has been working with our partner organisation ACDC (“Action to the Community Development Institute”). The project involves a wide range of activities:

Training: Local healthcare professionals—some of whom are PWDs themselves—receive comprehensive training in mental health and the psychological needs of people with disabilities. They acquire the skills needed to provide psychological counselling and support. They also learn to use screening tools to identify individuals and families who may be struggling with mental health issues. Finally, they are equipped to facilitate group sessions that promote empowerment and mutual support for PWDs. Peer counselling is particularly valuable, as PWDs are often best placed to understand one another’s experiences.

Collaborative partnerships: Many other stakeholders are involved in the project, including the provincial health ministry, the provincial PWD organisation, the general hospital, the provincial disease control centre, district health centres, a multidisciplinary mental health support group, and psychology specialists.

Screening and assessment: PWDs and their families are examined by trained professionals for potential mental disorders, first through an initial screening (level 1), followed by a detailed assessment (level 2). The resulting insights guide the provision of tailored psychological support.

Counselling and empowerment: In self-help group sessions led by trained professionals, participants share their daily experiences and challenges in a safe environment. They learn to express emotions, manage stress, communicate effectively, and strengthen social connections. They also develop coping strategies tailored to their individual needs. In severe cases, participants are referred to specialised treatment facilities.

Public awareness: Public events are organised to raise awareness of mental health among PWDs, their families, and the general public. The first event is planned for late October 2025. Such events provide basic knowledge on mental health and self-help, while creating opportunities for interaction, experience sharing, encouragement, and emotional support. In this way, we seek to strengthen social cohesion and community support networks.

Results & Key Figures of GCCH Psychological Support Projects (as of the end of September 2025):

Ukraine (since early 2024):

Chernihiv: Psychological support for 488 children
Kherson: Psychological support for 16 children
Sosnyzja: Psychological support for 160 children
Novhorod-Siverskyi: Group therapy with 122 adolescents and 228 adults, and individual therapy with 5 children, 21 adolescents, and 58 adults

Vietnam (since late 2024):

Late 2024 – early 2025: In a “Training of Trainers” course, four people with disabilities were trained as peer counsellors. Over the coming years, they will be able to support many others effectively. The follow-on peer counselling allowed 20 individuals to receive one-on-one support. Ongoing contact ensures further assistance when needed.
2025 (ongoing): Peer counselling in self-help groups and individual sessions with 58 participants so far.
May 2025: Professional meeting with health-sector partners to finalise the project implementation plan.
July/August 2025: Two consecutive training sessions with 70 participants, including peer counsellors (PWDs), village health aides, and members of the multidisciplinary mental health group (representatives from the provincial disease control centre, hospital, medical college, village health association, and the school for children with disabilities).
September 2025: Detailed mental-health screening of 90 PWDs and their families. Based on this, a psychological support handbook is expected to be completed by November 2025.

Sources:

Please follow and like us:

Rate this post

World Mental Health Day

Greencross Switzerland